Smart Treatment Oil gets Clinique into the facial oil game, and we're thrilled to write that this is one of the better options to come along lately! The gentle, fragrance-free formula's mix of plant oils, antioxidants, and soothing plant extracts makes this a truly "smart" choice for normal to dry skin, including the extra-sensitive.

You might be wondering if Smart Treatment Oil is smarter than other facial oils. It isn't, largely because it is an inanimate object incapable of intelligence, but also that it cannot make good on its claim of delivering "targeted repair as needed, where needed."

That's not to say this cannot repair signs of dry, dehydrated skin or that it won't make a noticeable difference in skin's texture and appearance, because it can. What we're getting at is that this mix of oils and other beneficial ingredients can't distinguish between where skin needs extra help and where it's doing fine. The ingredients cannot deliver a stronger treatment on very dry areas but somehow hold back ingredients (or treatment intensity) from more normal, undamaged areas. (Also, if you have oily skin and thus don't need any extra moisture, will Smart Treatment Oil simply evaporate from your skin? No, of course not.) The ingredients go wherever you put them and moisturize as they will—and because this is oil it has a lot of movement on skin, so it will migrate outside the original area of application.

Although this is a facial oil we recommend highly, we have to mention its clear plastic bottle packaging. Storing this product so it's exposed to daylight will, over time, reduce the effectiveness of the light-sensitive ingredients (including the oils) present. For maximum potency, store Smart Treatment Oil away from direct daylight exposure, such as a drawer or cabinet, or keep it in its opaque box.

On the upside where its packaging is concerned, the dropper tip used to dispense this oil is well designed and the cap's push button dispensing method makes it easy to control how much oil comes out.

Clinique Smart Treatment Oil doesn't earn a PhD for its thesis on having a radar-like ability to sense where skin needs the most help, but its formula nonetheless earns honors for its mix of skin-repairing, antioxidant-rich plant oils and inclusion of extra antioxidants, some of which have proven soothing properties. It's a great option for eliminating dryness and adding a healthy glow, and is even suitable for sensitive skin, including rosacea. Due to this being an oil-based formula, it's not an ideal formula for oily skin given this skin type doesn't have a need for the extra moisture. Those with breakout-prone skin that's also dehydrated may find this oil blend helpful, but pay attention to how your skin responds, because despite their benefits, the oils could make breakouts worse.

Tip: Clinique Smart Treatment Oil is an even better formula that sister brand Estee Lauder's Nutritious Radiant Vitality Essence Oil, which costs considerably more for an equal amount of product. Lauder's face oil also adds fragrance to the mix, which poses a slight risk of irritation.

Pros:

Rich yet fluid blend of several proven non-fragrant plant oils.

Contains several antioxidants, including the plant oils.

Dropper tip makes it easy to control how much oil is dispensed.

Gentle, fragrance-free formula suitable for use anywhere on the face (and neck).

First of all, thank you Beautypedia for helping me navigate and pick out the best products! This oil is amazing. I've only used it for about a week and I can already tell the difference in the texture of my skin. I'm just really hoping it does not make me break out after continued use (crossing my fingers). I'm new to this whole "oil" thing as I have always avoided anything with oil in it, but I want the "supple " look back and this is helping me achieve that! Thanks Clinique!!!

I like it a lot--not too expensive, and it works for me. I have oily skin, but this works really well for me. One question--I was surprised to see this recommended here, as other products have received poor reviews due to the inclusion of rosmarinus officinalis extract. It's listed as a "poor" ingredient, and a fragrant irritant. Confusing. Anyway, nice oil.

My Beauty Routine Takes:

10 Minutes

Bottom LineYes, I would recommend this to a friend

Beautypedia Team Response:Hi there! Thanks for leaving a review of this oil. The rosemary extract is in a low enough dose in this particular product that it shouldn't be an issue for most. :)

I love this oil. It is thicker and more emollient than Clinique's Turnaround oil, but it works for me in the winter. I use it over AHA and BHA exfoliants or tretinoin, which tend to be drying for me. I just hate the fact that the department store by me displays the Clinique products by removing them from the box and putting the product in front of it, as I agree that overtime light degrades a lot of products in see through containers. They even open the lipsticks and powders to display them. One time they took a powder in my color from the display, blew off the dust off the top of it and wanted to sell it to me. I am extremely particular about storing my cosmetics, so I pointed it out to the counter manager who just looked at me strange. I cannot believe the ignorance. Needless to say, I bought the oil elsewhere, but it took me some time to find it as not all stores in Chicago carry it at this point.

I have tried a sample of this for a few weeks. It's not a better product than some others nor a good value. You can buy Nourish Organic's argan oil, which is really a combo of some of these same oils, in a 3.4-oz bottle either online or at Whole Foods for the same benefits - at about 1/3 the price. It's also packaged in a dark bottle. I put it in a clean, dark, dropper bottle instead.

this is miraculous, my skin is always dryyy in the morning no matter how much moisturiser I put on. I used it for the first time last night and this morning my skin felt hydrated!! tG!! I just hope it won't lead to breakouts... but besides for that, love it. highly recommend it.

Estee Lauder-owned Clinique launched the concept of cosmetics being "allergy-tested," "hypoallergenic," "100% fragrance-free," and "dermatologist tested." Of those marketing claims, the only one with significance is "100% fragrance-free," which, for the most part, Clinique maintains (although it does add some fragrant extracts to a few products). Unfortunately, terms like “hypoallergenic” and “dermatologist tested” aren’t regulated by the FDA and can mean anything—thus, you still need to rely on the ingredient list to tell you whether their product contains any ingredients with the potential to irritate skin.

That inconvenient fact aside, Clinique is leading the way with cutting-edge, state-of-the-art moisturizers and serums, plus some formidable makeup and more than a few excellent sunscreens. While Clinique has some products that we see as missteps for reasons discussed in their reviews, more than ever, what they offer is quite good (just have realistic expectations, as some of their claims go beyond what their products are capable of).

Turning to makeup, Clinique continues to offer a vast palette of colors and textures, especially with their enormous selection of foundations—many of which feature effective sunscreens. Without a doubt, the numerous formulas offer something for every skin type and almost every skin color—though the blushes, eye makeup and lip colors are frequently not pigmented enough for deeper skin tones.

The bottom line is that, despite a few shortcomings, Clinique is one of the most comprehensive (and comparably affordable) department-store makeup lines, and it is completely understandable why they enjoy such broad appeal.

Note: Clinique is categorized as one that tests on animals because their products are sold in China. Although Clinique does not conduct animal testing for their products sold elsewhere, the Chinese government requires imported cosmetics be tested on animals, so foreign companies retailing there must comply. This requirement is why some brand’s state that they don’t test on animals “unless required by law”. Animal rights organizations consider cosmetic companies retailed in China to be brands that test on animals, and so does the Beautypedia Team.

For more information about Clinique, call (800) 419-4041 or visit www.clinique.com.

About the Experts

The Beautypedia and Paula’s Choice Research teams have one mission: To help you find the best products for your skin, whether they’re from Paula’s Choice or another brand. By combining efforts, we’re able to share scientific research and remain committed to the highest standards based on our decades of experience objectively reviewing thousands upon thousands of skincare and makeup formularies in all price ranges.

Beautypedia cuts through the hype to bring you product insights and recommendations you won’t find anywhere else!

Estee Lauder-owned Clinique launched the concept of cosmetics being "allergy-tested," "hypoallergenic," "100% fragrance-free," and "dermatologist tested." Of those marketing claims, the only one with significance is "100% fragrance-free," which, for the most part, Clinique maintains (although it does add some fragrant extracts to a few products). Unfortunately, terms like “hypoallergenic” and “dermatologist tested” aren’t regulated by the FDA and can mean anything—thus, you still need to rely on the ingredient list to tell you whether their product contains any ingredients with the potential to irritate skin.

That inconvenient fact aside, Clinique is leading the way with cutting-edge, state-of-the-art moisturizers and serums, plus some formidable makeup and more than a few excellent sunscreens. While Clinique has some products that we see as missteps for reasons discussed in their reviews, more than ever, what they offer is quite good (just have realistic expectations, as some of their claims go beyond what their products are capable of).

Turning to makeup, Clinique continues to offer a vast palette of colors and textures, especially with their enormous selection of foundations—many of which feature effective sunscreens. Without a doubt, the numerous formulas offer something for every skin type and almost every skin color—though the blushes, eye makeup and lip colors are frequently not pigmented enough for deeper skin tones.

The bottom line is that, despite a few shortcomings, Clinique is one of the most comprehensive (and comparably affordable) department-store makeup lines, and it is completely understandable why they enjoy such broad appeal.

Note: Clinique is categorized as one that tests on animals because their products are sold in China. Although Clinique does not conduct animal testing for their products sold elsewhere, the Chinese government requires imported cosmetics be tested on animals, so foreign companies retailing there must comply. This requirement is why some brand’s state that they don’t test on animals “unless required by law”. Animal rights organizations consider cosmetic companies retailed in China to be brands that test on animals, and so does the Beautypedia Team.

For more information about Clinique, call (800) 419-4041 or visit www.clinique.com.

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